Michigan State Basketball: Expectations for Spartans' Big 3 in 2014-15

Simply making the NCAA tournament is never enough for Michigan State—the Spartans are all about making annual runs deep into March.

With Denzel Valentine, Branden Dawson and Travis Trice at the helm, an extended dance this spring is possible. However, unlike past teams, expecting a Final Four is—at the moment—a bit illogical. Coach Tom Izzo has lost too much talent to tab his group for the national semis.

But then again, Izzo’s gone further with “lesser” teams, so that theory may not apply to the 2014-15 squad.

The season begins Nov. 14 versus Navy at the Veterans Classic Basketball Tournament in Annapolis, Maryland, followed by a Nov. 18 meeting with Duke, led by legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski, in Indianapolis at the State Farm Champions Classic. 

That said, it’s never too early to set the bar, especially when it comes to gauging expectations for star players. It’s time to explore the possibilities for Michigan State’s big three.

It's Time for Valentine

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A natural leader, Valentine should be the one to set the tone emotionally and athletically. The 6’5”, 220-pound junior is one of the most versatile players in the country, so forecasting All-Big Ten honors, at least, for the Lansing native is more than appropriate.

Statistically, Valentine may not take the league by storm, but he’s certainly capable of being among the Big Ten’s top scorers and distributors. Somewhere in the range of 12 to 14 points per game isn’t out of the question, nor is a tally of four or five assists and roughly five rebounds per outing.

As a sophomore, he averaged eight points, six boards, 3.8 assists and 29.4 minutes each time he took the floor (team stats, via ESPN). Michigan State will be without forward Kenny Kaminski, who was dismissed over the summer, and Adreian Payne, who graduated before being selected in the first round of the 2014 NBA draft by the Atlanta Hawks.

Minutes are Valentine’s for the taking. He could clock as many as 34 this year. And for a guy who’s used to sizeable increases in playing time, a four-minute bump shouldn’t be too much to handle.

Dawson's Fond Farewell

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At 6’6” and 225 pounds, Dawson possesses the ideal frame for a power wing. He’s yet to harness his jump shot, but he’s incredibly physical in the paint, on the glass and at the rim. Once he tunes up his perimeter game, he’ll easily be one of the Big Ten’s best.

Athletically, he’s among the elite of the elite. Not many guys can match his skill set. Anything short of All-Big Ten and some sort of national props would be a disappointment for the senior who decided to come back for one final spin with the Spartans.

In 2013-14, he averaged 11.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists and just a hair shy of a block per game. This season, 15 and 10, plus somewhere in the range of two and two seems reasonable. After that, he'll kiss center court at the Breslin Center, hug Izzo and get the senior treatment from a packed house. 

That's standard procedure for the four-year crowd. 

Travis the Trainer

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He’s a senior point guard.

Now, let’s talk about those expectations.

Dawson and Valentine may be the headliners, but Trice has the most important job: Running Izzo’s show. The 6’0” and 170-pounder could end up being the heart and soul of Michigan State, a program that’s been built on the backs of great point guards.

Making sure the ship stays afloat is only the beginning, as Trice will be tasked with assisting in the development of Lourawls “Tum Tum” Nairn, his true frosh understudy and heir apparent.

Sure, Izzo needs Trice to effectively distribute the ball—which he will. Bagging four assists per game shouldn't be an issue. 

And sure, Izzo needs Trice to continue with great defense—which he will. Getting away with theft a couple of times per game is certainly in the future for Trice, who has some of the stickiest hands in the Big Ten. 

He'll hit his free throws, probably about 82 to 85 percent. He'll hit about 42 percent of his threes. He'll get his senior spotlight, too. 

But bridging the gap, passing the torch and whatever other cliche that can be used to describe the upcoming transition at the point rests squarely on Trice’s shoulders.

No pressure for the big three: It just has to be All-Big Ten and get the youngsters ready for the next phase. 

Follow Bleacher Report’s Michigan State Spartans basketball writer Adam Biggers on Twitter @AdamBiggers81